In honor of LeBron: The most savage playoff moments in recent history

LeBron James showed some serious nerve in Game 2 of the East semifinals against the Toronto Raptors when he casually spun the ball not once, but twice before sinking a 3-pointer in Serge Ibaka's face.

While some people bashed the Raptors for not retaliating, James downplayed the stunt, calling it a "mental thing."

Whether you're for or against such brash displays of dominance, we can all agree it was savage.

In honor of that, here are some of our favorite examples of savagery in the NBA playoffs over the past three decades:

Allen Iverson steps back and over Tyronn Lue

In Game 1 of the 2001 Finals, Iverson showed Lue some major disrespect. The Los Angeles Lakers point guard had no answer for The Answer when guarding him one-on-one in the corner, where Iverson crossed him up and drilled a devastating step-back jumper. To add insult to injury, the Philadelphia 76ers legend stepped over Lue after watching the shot fall. Not only was that play incredible, but it capped off a 7-0 run by A.I. in overtime as he helped Philly to a 107-101 triumph.

Reggie Miller puts Knicks in a chokehold

In Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, things weren't looking good for the Indiana Pacers as they trailed the New York Knicks with just 18.7 remaining. Miller somehow managed to rack up eight points in nine seconds to lead the Pacers to a 107-105 victory at the Garden. He wasn't done there, though. The prolific 3-point shooter had been exchanging words with Knicks superfan Spike Lee, and following his epic run, Miller made the choking gesture at the film director. Hollywood couldn't have written that better.

Paul Pierce calls "Game"

In Game 3 of the 2015 East semis, Pierce banked in a fadeaway jumper over Dennis Schroder at the buzzer to lift the Washington Wizards to a 103-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Arguably more memorable than the shot was The Truth's comments afterward.

In the walk-off interview, ESPN's Chris Broussard asked him, "Did you call bank?"

"I called game!" Pierce replied.

Baron Davis crams all over Andrei Kirilenko

In Game 3 of the 2007 West semis, B-Diddy put AK47 on a poster. That Kirilenko was taller and one of the best shot-blockers in the game at the time only added to the poster's grandeur. Davis' boldness on the play embodied the spirit of the "We Believe" Warriors, who became the first No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed in a best-of-seven series, while the celebratory shirt lift was a nice touch.

Scottie Pippen obliterates Patrick Ewing

Pippen threw down one of the most barbaric dunks of all time over Ewing in Game 6 of the 1994 East semis. Not only did he attack the Knicks big man with a monstrous one-handed rim-rocker, but the Bulls star proceeded to push him down and walk right over him. Pip then made his way over to Lee to tell the Knicks-loving director to sit down. How rude.

Michael Jordan exacts revenge on Dikembe Mutombo

Prior to the 1997 All-Star Game, Mutombo called out M.J. because the Bulls icon hadn't dunked on him ... yet. In the playoffs that year, the Bulls faced the Hawks in the East semis and Jordan made Deke pay. The GOAT drove baseline and skied for a mesmerizing and ruthless facial on the center in Game 5. After stealing his soul, Jordan stole Mutombo's signature finger wag and Chicago won 107-92 to claim the series.